Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson runs for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

Minnesota Vikings rookie Cordarrelle Patterson took another leap forward in Week 14, setting a new career-high with 141 yards in a 29-26 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He played a part in the teams' wild back-and-forth late in the fourth quarter when he hauled in a 79-yard touchdown that gave Minnesota the lead.

Patterson is getting targeted more often in the Vikings' offense, putting him in better position to utilize his explosive speed. Already a dangerous kick returner, does the extra attention make Patterson worth adding to lineups in fantasy football leagues?

Overview: Rookie wide receiver getting extra attention in the Vikings offense and coming off a career-best performance (141 yards, TD) in a Week 14 loss to the Ravens.

Background: A first-round pick (No. 29 overall) in the 2013 NFL draft. … recognized as one of the most explosive offensive players in the draft after standout efforts in the 40-yard dash (4.42) and vertical jump (37 inches) at the NFL combine. … has been arguably the NFL's top kick returner this season, leading the league in average (33.3) and touchdowns (2). … has ideal combination of size (6-2, 220 pounds) and speed to become an elite wide receiver. … played one season at Tennessee after transferring from Hutchinson Community College. … set a new school record at Tennessee with 1,858 all-purpose yards last season.

2013 stats: 35 rec., 60 targets, 395 yards, 2 TDs in 13 games.

Numbers and trends: Has gotten 32 targets over the last four weeks after recording just 28 targets in his first nine games combined. … had a career day with five catches for 141 yards and a touchdown against Baltimore, capped by a 79-yard catch-and-run in the fourth quarter. … hasn't consistently found a way to maximize his explosive speed as a receiver, averaging just 11.3 yards per catch and 9.2 ypc prior to his 79-yard catch on Sunday. … has kickoff return touchdowns of 105 and 109 yards this season.

Strengths: Patterson has explosive ability in an NFL-ready package with excellent speed and open-field skills. … is getting a chance to use those abilities more often in the Vikings' pass attack, leading the team in targets in two of the last four weeks. … coach Leslie Frazier appears committed to increasing his role, telling Fox Sports North that "it definitely will be a part of the plan now with some of the concerns that we have." … his role should only grow with Minnesota now eliminated from the playoffs.

Risk factors: Still lacks polish as a wide receiver and shows few signs of being able to get vertical in the passing game. … so-so receiving average (11.3 ypc) continues to be a trend and limits his abilities in fantasy leagues. … Vikings' quarterback issues are ongoing and disturb continuity in the offense. ... pulled a disappearing act with one catch (on five targets) in Week 13, but saved the day with a 33-yard touchdown run.

ESPN ownership: 5.0 percent.

Verdict: A much more promising prospect in PPR leagues than traditional scoring formats; represents upside in all leagues as an explosive talent with a growing role.